Kang Myungjin returned to the village.
He immediately noticed the changed atmosphere and realized I had become the Dominator of Area 406. It was impossible to miss the villagers' cautious glances and their constant references to me as "Dominator."
"You've become the Dominator of Area 406? How...?"
Kang Myungjin's expression of astonishment was priceless. According to his understanding, it was impossible for a newcomer like me, who had only recently arrived in Atlantis, to defeat the Sun's Adversary (False).
"I got lucky. I obtained an item called the Aegis Amulet from the Special Shop."
I gave Kang Myungjin a rough explanation of the situation. If I tried to gloss over the details here, he would undoubtedly become suspicious.
Of course, I didn't tell him everything. I omitted the part about swearing on the River Styx and simply said I had defeated L Bu using the Aegis Amulet.
Kang Myungjin listened to my explanation and fell into deep thought for a moment.
"Mr. Kang Myungjin, did you achieve your objective?"
"Yes, everything went smoothly."
"The halberd on your back... isn't that L Bu's Heavenly Halberd?"
Kang Myungjin carried the Heavenly Halberd, the weapon wielded by L Bu, on his back.
"I encountered L Bu along the way and managed to defeat him by exploiting the terrain."
"Impressive."
The events were unfolding exactly as they had in the original story.
I glanced at his pocket, noticing a slight bulge.
He successfully obtained the Azure Dragon's Egg.
Kang Myungjin had come here because of the hidden territory concealed within Area 406. He must have acquired the Azure Dragon's Egg from that hidden territory.
I could have snatched the Azure Dragon's Egg from Kang Myungjin faster than he could react, but I didn't.
Hatching the Azure Dragon's Egg myself would be a grueling ordeal, but Kang Myungjin, as a Dragon Knight, could do it much more easily and quickly.
This was because Kang Myungjin possessed the Dragon Soul (A) Trait, granting him draconic attributes.
Even if the egg hatched, the dragon wouldn't obey me.
Dragons only follow Dragon Knights like Kang Myungjin.
Besides, I don't have the patience for pets.
A newly hatched dragon would be of little immediate use until it matured. I had no desire to babysit a young dragon.
"Let's head back now. The sun should be rising in the First District, at the Chapel of Beginnings," Kang Myungjin said.
I nodded in agreement.
Though I was the Dominator of Area 406, I had no intention of doing anything. There was no merit in it. Moreover, Area 406 was isolated, surrounded by uncaptured territories, cutting it off from the outside world.
"Yes, let's head back."
"...Ms. Sung Yujin, are you considering joining a Legion?" Kang Myungjin asked.
I smirked inwardly at his question.
From Kang Myungjin's perspective, I was an Irregular a figure beyond his knowledge. He would naturally be wary of me, perhaps even find me unsettling. He might even harbor doubts about my true identity.
At the same time, I possessed exceptional skills. To Kang Myungjin, who was planning to establish his own Legion, I must have seemed like a talent he desperately wanted to recruit.
Kang Myungjin is trying to create a Legion to leverage the information he possesses. Gathering skilled individuals is a natural part of that process.
My publicly known unique trait was Barter the ability to bring modern items into this world. Depending on how it was used, it could generate immense wealth, especially since most Exiles were modern people who longed for their former lives.
Combined with my skills and the formidable Divine Throne of the Lord of the Heavens, any Legion would covet me.
My goal is to join Kang Myungjin's Legion, but I can't accept right away. I need to play hard to get here.
Feigning contemplation, I replied, "Well, I don't know much about Legions yet."
"I see. If you're interested, would you like to create a Legion with me?"
"...Mr. Kang Myungjin, are you planning to start a Legion? Running one can't be easy..."
In this world, anyone can create a Legion. If people gather and give their group a name, that's a Legion. However, a true Legion, recognized by others, is a group with a certain level of military strength.
"Wouldn't it be better to join a famous Legion? With Mr. Kang Myungjin's skills, any Legion would welcome you."
"It's true that joining a famous Legion would be safer. You'd grow steadily by following their guidance. But there's a clear limit to that kind of growth. You can't become the best by growing safely under protection. Ms. Sung Yujin, don't you want to become the best?"
"...It's difficult to answer right now. Please give me time to think."
"Please give me your answer as soon as possible, at the latest before the training at the Chapel of Beginnings ends."
"Yes, I will."
Kang Myungjin and I returned to the Chapel of Beginnings.
I stood facing Ju Seohyun in an open field a short distance from the Chapel of Beginnings, each of us armed with our weapons.
Today was a rest day with no training, and Ju Seohyun had challenged me to a duel this morning. I accepted, having promised her a sparring match once a week.
Ju Seohyun's body was stiff with tension, while I remained relaxed.
There's no way I could lose to Ju Seohyun in my current state.
Not only was my swordsmanship superior, but the difference in our stats was overwhelming. Even if I let my guard down slightly, I was confident I wouldn't lose.
"You're the one who challenged me first. Are you backing out now?"
"...Shut up."
My taunt seemed to have struck a nerve. Ju Seohyun, who had been frozen stiff, began to move.
Her movements were lightning-fast. She had activated her Acceleration ability from the start.
Well, this is a manageable speed for me.
I raised the Hwaryeon Flying Dagger and effortlessly parried her attacks. Ju Seohyun gritted her teeth and unleashed a relentless barrage.
Left, right, left again.
My overwhelming advantage in strength and speed allowed me to easily block her strikes. If Ju Seohyun's swordsmanship had been exceptional, things might have been different, but she had only been in Atlantis for a week. She hadn't had any time to hone her skills.
My leg hooked around her ankle, throwing her off balance. I pulled her stumbling body into my arms.
"I think I've won?"
"Ugh..."
I gripped one of Ju Seohyun's full breasts with my left hand. The sensation was always incredible, no matter how many times I touched her.
"...No. Not yet! It's not over yet!"
"What are you talking about? It's over, I said!"
"...Time of Vengeance."
Ju Seohyun shoved me back with surprising force.
My body recoiled, and I frowned.
What's going on? Ju Seohyun shouldn't be this strong.
As Ju Seohyun created some distance between us, a dark aura began to emanate from her body.
A belated realization struck me.
Time of Vengeance.
A skill described in the Setting Book.
Could it be that Ju Seohyun has formed a formal contract with the Divine Throne, 'Black Vengeance,' and chosen the Avenger Class?!
This wasn't the Class or Divine Throne Ju Seohyun had in the original timeline.
It changed because of me.
The Mark of Vengeance on you has been activated.
Mark of Vengeance. A Skill linked to the Time of Vengeance. When the Mark of Vengeance is imprinted on a target, it allows the user to roughly sense the target's direction.
I thought blood was required to use the Mark of Vengeance on a target... Ah, that must have been when.
The kiss with Ju Seohyun earlier. She had bitten my lip, drawing blood.
You cannot escape while the Time of Vengeance is active.
I couldn't move beyond a certain distance from Ju Seohyun until the Time of Vengeance ended.
"Sung Yujin! Die!!"
Ju Seohyun charged toward me with a speed that dwarfed her earlier attempts.
If I let my guard down, I might actually lose this.
That was only if I let my guard down, of course.
Using Momentary, I swiftly moved behind Ju Seohyun. Grabbing her by the nape of her neck with my left hand, I flung her sideways. She tumbled across the ground several times before regaining her footing.
Her durability has improved along with her stats... Hmm.
An idea flashed through my mind.
Change Status Window.
Status Window changed.
I switched my Status Window from Thunderclap Slayer to Heavenly Demon.
Ju Seohyun's movements slowed as she charged at me with swords in both hands.
"...What did you do?!"
I smirked. I had just tried something on a whim, never expecting it to work.
"There's no reason to be polite to you."
I stepped toward Ju Seohyun and swung my fist at her abdomen. She tried to block my punch with her wrist, but I didn't bother dodging it. To be precise, there was no need to.
Demonic Heavenly Art: Silent Void Strike.
My fist tapped her wrist. As Ju Seohyun stared at me with confusion, her body suddenly flew backward a beat later.
"Cough. Cough."
Ju Seohyun coughed, pressing her hand against the floor to push herself up. But she couldn't rise easily, collapsing repeatedly.
I tried to control my strength... but was it too much?
I had little experience using the Demonic Heavenly Art, especially the Silent Void Strike, which I was using for the first time.
As I watched Ju Seohyun cough up blood, I switched to her Status Window.
Status Window updated.
The Mark of Vengeance on you has been activated.
You cannot escape while Time of Vengeance is active.
With Time of Vengeance reactivated, Ju Seohyun's complexion improved, and she rose to her feet. She was empty-handed; her sword had fallen to the ground when she was thrown back earlier.
Refusing to give up, Ju Seohyun clenched her fist and advanced toward me.
I blocked her right fist with my left hand and pressed my blade against her neck. Ju Seohyun flinched.
"I've won. Admit it."
Grind.
Ju Seohyun glared at me through tear-filled eyes, grinding her teeth.
Gradually, the strength drained from her fist.
"...I may have lost today... but next time... next time I'll really kill you!"
"We'll see if that's possible."
I grinned at Ju Seohyun. Her face was a mess from the battle, but her natural beauty still shone through.
"Since you lost, you'll have to honor our wager now."
"...What? The wager?"
"Don't act surprised. We agreed on it before the duel, didn't we?"
"...You're really going to collect on that?"
"You know the answer, so stop pretending you don't."
At Ju Seohyun's tense nod, I helped her strip off her top and pull down her jeans. Beneath her shirt was a plain white bra, barely containing her F-cup breasts. Below, the steel chastity belt she had once asked me to fit for her gleamed.
Using her shirt, I loosely looped her wrists behind her back in the same roleplay pose as before, leaving enough slack for her to pull free. The position naturally emphasized her large breasts.
"...Kuh."
Ju Seohyun blushed crimson and averted her gaze. Her charm lay in her perpetually humiliated expression, even though this wasn't the first time.
"The forfeit we agreed on remains the same as always, doesn't it?"
"..."
Ju Seohyun bit her lower lip, then gave a small nod.
If the Lord of the Heavens speaks the truth, nod.
Black Vengeance glares at the Lord of the Heavens.
The Lord of the Heavens pretends not to notice.
Black Vengeance warns you.
I hesitated, knowing Black Vengeance's true identity.
In this world, she nearly escaped Zeus's forced advance. That's why their relationship is strained.
Alternatively, some say she's Zeus's wife. That bastard Zeus would even defile his own wife he's truly the lowest of the low.
Tsk, tsk. I must never become a bastard like Zeus.
I moved my hand again.
A warning from Black Vengeance? All they could do was issue verbal warnings. The Divine Throne was fundamentally forbidden from interfering in the affairs of Exiles. They could intervene through AP as they had before, but they would inevitably face sanctions from the System.
The Lord of the Heavens, who had cursed me with Moon Blossom and then dispelled the curse with Lightning, must have faced System sanctions. Though the Lord of the Heavens likely received a relatively light penalty.
Later, I'll have to claim Black Vengeance too. Heh heh heh.
For now, I needed to focus on Ju Seohyun.
I tore off the bra covering Ju Seohyun's chest and tossed it to the floor.
"This bra was supplied by the Hundredfold Balance Society, right? What's with this cheap crap? From now on, tell me if you need anything like this. Don't wear such trash."
"This is none of your business. If you're going to do it, hurry up and finish!"
"I can't guarantee I'll finish quickly. You know how impressive I am, right?"
I reached out and began fondling Ju Seohyun's breasts, gently caressing her large nipples and areolas. The pink nipples gradually hardened.
"Ooh, your nipples are getting hard right away. Were you looking forward to this?"
"It's just the cold!"
"Sure, sure."
I nodded dismissively.
"You lost our fight. This is the forfeit we agreed to. If you want me to stop, say so."
"...Just do it."
Only after hearing that did I press my lips against Ju Seohyun's.